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Belle Meade Black Bell Bourbon

Savory and sweet

4 693

@casualtortureReview by @casualtorture

10th Mar 2018

1

Belle Meade Black Bell Bourbon
  • Nose
    24
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    24
  • Overall
    93

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Distribution of ratings for this: user

  • Brand: Belle Meade
  • ABV: 55.75%
  • Batch: 2634-43

Belle Meade Black Bell bourbon is a collaboration between Nelson-Greenbrier distillery and Blackstone Brewery in Nashville, Tennessee. Basically, Blackstone's Imperial Stout was aged in Belle Meade bourbon barrels, and after the beer was emptied, the bourbon was finished in the same barrels the beer just left. This bourbon is aged 10yrs and 9 months, the last 9 months being in the ex-stout barrels. It is bottled at cask strength, 55.75%, or 111.5 proof.

Less than 300 bottles were released and it sold out at the distillery in 3 days (I bought this bottle on day 2).

This is bottle #43. Bottle opened for 3 months and is 95% full.

Nose: It starts with very savory notes. Salted pork, then burnt pine needles, and charred oak. This transitions to sweet German chocolate cake, peanut butter, vanilla and salted caramel candies. Great balance and transition. Salty and sweet. It almost reminds me of the chocolate Chex Mix. Truly heavenly.

Palate: Begins by following the nose, salty and savory meats, followed by chocolate and coffee. This then turns to chili spices. Like the crushed red pepper you put on pizza. Then comes apples! So many layers to this and it really takes some time to examine and fully enjoy this.

Finish: Long finish, apples and salted meat.

Overall: At $80+ tax, I should have bought 3 or 4. Unfortunately, this is no longer available. This is a darn good bourbon. Full and rich with savory, salty and sweet notes all working together in great harmony. If any of you are in the Nashville area this is one I would be proud to share with you.

Nose:

Body:

Palate:

6 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Sounds like an exceptional taste experience. Where is Nashville?

6 years ago 0

@casualtorture
casualtorture commented

I'm in Murfreesboro technically. About 30min south of downtown off of I-24.

6 years ago 0

@Hewie
Hewie commented

I like how the distillery and brewery have worked together on this. Have you tried any of their other bottlings i.e. I wonder which aspects of the flavour profile are attributable to the stout? All in all it sounds like a great pour.

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

Sounds interesting. I noticed Jameson caskmates stout edition at my local supermarket on offer this week. I was tempted until I saw your review (thanks!) but the idea of mixing whisky and stout in the barrel, as it were, is one that certainly appeals.

I wont able to try this one, unfortunately, so will stick to drinking them side by side for now wink

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@casualtorture
casualtorture commented

@Hewie I've had their Cask Strength Single Barrel, which is also quite good. I have a review of it somewhere on here. I've also had their standard bourbon which I don't care for.

6 years ago 0

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